Santa Run an outstanding success for charity

Yet again Waterford Roadrunners have done the business for Charity. Following the Santa run last night and party night in the Mansion House we have raised almost €3000 for the Lions Club Christmas Hamper Appeal.
Thanks to Jacinta and Ann (Pictured above earlier in the night) for selling so many tickets last night and the many others who helped out on the night.

Thanks to Brendan Jackman for the photo above and the gallery of this week shown below:


Waterford Road Runners Winter League Week 6 -- 17 Dec 2009 - Images by Brendan Jackman Photography

Happy Christmas to all our winter league fun runners from all the crew at Waterford Roadrunners and Waterford AC. Six weeks down and five to go! Let us know how its going for you at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com and thanks again for those of you who took a night out to steward, for those who helped out in the recent very successful Waterford AC annual half marathon either with the stewarding, manning the water stations or serving the tea and coffee! It was much appreciated.

WEP Note no. 6, Wed 16th Dec

Ho Ho Ho, get dressed up for the santa run this week! Wear full outfits to minimal outfits if you dare!

Chip timing still in place so don't forget to wear your high viz and number, as always!

For those who have signed up for the whole series come on upstairs at the RSC from 6:30 to collect your Waterford Roadrunners Tee shirt and bring a few bob to donate to the WLRfm Lions Club Christmas Hamper Appeal if you can.

Also, its party time in the mansion house later so why not come along and celebrate having made it past the half way mark in the 11 week series of the Paddy Byrne 2009 Winter League.

Thanks a millions from Waterford AC to the considerable number of winter leaguers who helped out at the very successful 1/2 marathon on Saturday last. Your efforts were greatly appreciated and contributed to an excellent event allround.

Week 5 Photo gallery

Some photos from last night's action from Brendan Jackman




Waterford Road Runners Winter League Week 5 -- 10 Dec 2009 - Images by Brendan Jackman Photography

Well done to all fun runners last night and don't forget the Waterford AC 1/2 Marathon tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 11:00. Why not come out and watch/support/helpout on the day...and if you are running it then Best of Luck from all at Waterford Roadrunners.

More details on http://www.waterfordac.com/

WEP Note no 5, Wed 9th December

Well done to all and keep doing the good work.

Anyone free to support/help out the Waterford AC 1/2 Marathon on Saturday check out http://www.waterfordac.com/ for more details.

The best two for the caption compettion (see picture below) is

"I thought you were getting your hair done for tonight" Val "? Got new Shoooe's instead, look are'nt they luv'ly !!!!!!!!!!

OR

'Hey Jenny, these alfie hale runners really do make me run faster'

Which do you prefer? Let us know at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com

Week 4 photos

Thanks to Ciaran Fallon from Tramore for supplying photos for our caption competition. Send your suggestions to waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com

Photo : Val & Jenny

Check out http://www.racepix365.com/ for many more photos from Ciaran.

WEP Note no 4 - Dec 2nd

No disturbance to our weekly winter league, and all is looking good for tomorrow night.

A very quick note tonight as ye are all very well informed by now (or so you have being telling us at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com) and so just keep doing the good work with just a note on single file running as follows:

With the narrow paths in parts of the course it would be of great assistance to all if you could run in single file rather than side by side.

Particularly as you get tired, if you keep to the left hand side of the path and allow others to pass on your right it would allow them to do so without stepping out on to the road.

Keep up the excellent Fun and don't forget there is only 2 weeks to go until the Santa run! More details to follow here and in this week's Munster Express in our notes section.


Comments to waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com :

Thanks for the many comments emailled to us, and keep them coming. A quote from Maria (not her own but she felt it very relevant to herself):

• "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

Thanks Maria and also to Joe for providing the Caption for our photo, details below.

Caption winner

Thanks to Joe in the city who came up with the best caption for our photo!

"We wore our high viz, no watches, ran on the path all the way, and they still locked us up here!"

Thanks Joe, and of course we are not so strict as to lock people up....or are we?

See ye all tomorrow night and keep up the good work of doing like the girls.

We are runners, get us out of here!

Can you think of a better caption for the photo above? Email us on waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com

Results ahead of schedule and times improving

Well done to all our Waterford Roadrunners crew in procesing the results so quickly again, particularly Adele in sorting out the Race Handicaps so quick! Check it all out on http://www.waterfordac.com/ , thanks Alan at Waterford AC for the speedy work again.

Don't forget you are always very, very welcome to offer your services as a steward any Thursday and if you feel like you would hate to miss out on a night's run well why not join Con, Adele, Des and the growing bunch of stewards who do a 5 mile 'nice run' after the winter league when all is tidied away? Email us at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com or just come upstairs after 6:30 on Thursday and make yourself known to us and we will kit you out with your coat and lamp.

Week 4 Photos

On a beatuiful waterford night hundreds of Fun-Runners took to the 2 mile and 4 mile route in great form. Thanks again for those who emailled waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com with words of encouragement for the organisers on another job well done. Waterfordroadrunners say thanks to all Con's helpers for stewarding so professionally last night and keep up the great work.

Click here to see last night's gallery from Brendan Jackman and keep an eye on http://www.racepix365.com/ for more from our Roving Photographer Ciaran Fallon. Also, don't forget to get your copy of the Munster Express each week for our weekly review of the winter league (with selected pics!)

Results are being processed and should be with you on http://www.waterfordac.com/ by our Monday target.

A word of thanks again for those of you who did the dutiful of wearing your High Viz, not wearing your watch or Ipod, running on the path and of course smiling where possible.

WEP Note no 3 - Nov 25th

Welcome to the Wednesday Evening Preparation note number 3 designed to prepare you for tomorrow nights FUN-Run.

Unfortunately the wind (thats the weather we mean of course!) got the better of us last week so hopefully we will be back flying again tomorrow night, Nov 26th.

The weather for tomorrow is looking ok at the moment, take a look at:
http://www.met.ie/forecasts/county.asp and select waterford.

As we mentioned in our last WEP note our 3rd week of running is traditionally our biggest week in terms of numbers, so that may be tomorrow night!!
With numbers potentially exceeding 800, we appeal as always that you run on the path NOT the road! If you cannot get past another Fun-runner in front of you DONT jump out on the road.....just wait longer until it is safe to pass on the path. By now, as you are familiar with the course, you will be aware that it is difficult to pass anytime before halfway through the lap, so be patient.

There are no prizes for being the fastest....or the pushiest. You are challenging yourself afterall!

As a reminder for what to do tomorrow night remember that if you have checked your race handicap for this week on http://www.waterfordac.com/ or in the Lobby at the RSC from 6:30 then you simply need to be at the start point on Ashe road for that number of minutes after the start time on the official clock which starts at time zero which is approximately 7pm! So if your race handicap is 7 mins then you need to start running from the start point at 0:07 on the clock, simple as that!
You only need to come upstairs at the RSC tomorrow night if:

• You are paying nightly, Have your €5 ready.
• You want to change from the 1 lap course to the 2 lap course. (Tell us your BIB number and your handicap and we will issue you a new handicap).
• You have lost your number. (You will be issued with a new number to replace your old one and your data from the previous runs credited to the new one). Note: There is a replacement charge of €3, so mind your number!
• You are going to steward and you want to pick up your Viz Coat and lamp.

Remember: Waterford Roadrunners want to help you to have a great night so help us by following the guidance of

• High Viz, ...and don't forget your bib number: (your chip timer is in it)
• No watches,
• No Ipods etc,
• Stay on the Path, &
• Have Fun.

More Stewards

Waterford Roadrunners thank the Tramore Cliff & Mountain Rescue Association who have offered to help out with Stewarding for the rest of the Winter League. So don't forget to thank them if you spot them out on the course this week.

Any other volunteers want to offer their service? Email us at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com or just come upstairs at the RSC from 6:30 any Thursday and ask for CON or Deckie.

Week 3 Fun-run CANCELLED

Unfortunately, due to extreme wind and a bit of rain, we have to cancel tonights Fun-run.

Why not spend the time you would have been running on doing exercises in the comfort of your own home?

See you next week.

WEP Note Number 2 - 6pm Wednesday Nov 18th

Welcome to the Wednesday Evening Preparation note number 2 designed to prepare you for tomorrow nights FUN-Run.

Week 3 is traditionally our biggest week in terms of numbers but of course every week is a big Fun filled week.

By now hopefully we all understand how the system works!

You don't need to come upstairs at the RSC tomorrow night unless:

1. You are paying nightly, Have your €5 ready.
2. You want to change from the 1 lap course to the 2 lap course. (Tell us your BIB number and your handicap and we will issue you a new handicap)
3. You have lost your number. (You will be issued with a new number to replace your old one and your data from the previous runs credited to the new one). Note: There is a replacement charge of €3, so mind your number!
4. You are going to steward and you want to pick up your Viz Coat and lamp (That would be great!) Alternatively you might know someone who might help out so tell them to come upstairs after 6:30.

Assuming you don't need any of the above then just make sure you know your handicap for week 3 from http://www.waterfordac.com/ or in the lobby of the RSC, and make your way to the start point on Ashe road for the correct time.

With numbers potentially exceeding 800 this week, we appeal as always that you run on the path NOT the road! If you cannot get past another Fun-runner in front of you.....just wait longer until it is safe to do so. By now, as you are familiar with the course, you will be aware that it is difficult to pass anytime before halfway through the lap, so be patient. There are no prizes for being the fastest....or the pushiest. You are challenging yourself (while looking good!) and if you're impressed with your time then all the better.

Remember: Waterford Roadrunners want to help you to have a great night: help us by following the guidance of High Viz, No watches, No Ipods etc. Refer to WEP note no 1 for previous instructions.

Munster Express Notes

Don't forget to pick up your copy of this week's Munster Express and see the notes about your weekly Fun-run in the sports section. Couple of pics included.

Week 2 Official Photo Gallery

A selection of some of Brendan's photographs from thursday night.
To view the gallery thumbnails, full screen mode or email to a friend look at the details in the bottom right-hand corner of the gallery frame.


Winter League Week 2 -- 12 Nov 2009 - Images by Brendan Jackman Photography

Look out for next week's gallery based on group photos after the run. Email waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com for more details, or read the posting of Friday Nov 13th.

Error in our results: Oh dear

Although we had week 2 results in a very speedy manner again, it appears a glitch got through and we made an error on some of the times published. Sorry about that and check back on www.waterfordac.com tomorrow and it should be sorted.

First Happy Pics on Waterford Roadrunners Blog site

Can we be the first official picture on your blog?

WRR says:Yes you can! (click on the image to enlarge)

I wonder will they realise I am wearing proof that I've done a previous Paddy Byrne's Waterford Roadrunners Winter League?

WRR Says: Yes, we can see our logo!

Stay tuned for our photo gallery coming soon, thanks Brendan.

Next week our official photographer, Brendan, will be taking 'Group Photos' for our blog site so if you are happy to be snapped with your pals make yourselves known to us after your run and have a name for your group ready! Early requests to waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com have come from groups calling themselves "The Dublin Marathon Recovering Group" or the " Derek Grant's Monday Session: I told you I could do 2 miles without stopping Group" . Maybe you are running as part of a work group or parent and toddler group or an active retirement group so come up with a name to advertise yourselves and let us know. Why not tell us in advance at waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com and Brendan will be ready for you after your run, more details in WEP-note 2.

Don't know what a WEP note is? You're new to this blog! Read earlier postings or check back after 6pm next wednesday!

Weather holds up for Week 2 Fun-Run

Things were not looking good on the weather front when the Waterford Roadrunners woke up Thursday morning. After new entries being taken by candle light upstairs at the RSC due to the second power outage of the day, no street lighting on the Cork road and the rain threatening to come back for seconds, suddenly out of the darkness appeared 714 high viz vests (and 32 stewards' high viz vests, thanks folks) making their way to Ashe road to get into place for week no 2 of the Paddy Byrne Waterford Roadrunners Winter league 2009/10.

Our first positive comment to waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com received at 9:30pm Thursday night (Sher Deckie and the lads hadn't even packed the gear away by then) was:

"Well, I just have to say that’s my second week and I love it; it’s fun, great value for money, and u don’t feel the journey with so many doing it! I only walk 4 miles a day so to run it was just great, (well to run it in patches!) Its organised brilliantly and the stewards are so good helping us along. Well done on organising a great night again."

WRR SAYS: What more can we say, we do our very best!

WEP Note Number 1- 6pm Wednesday Nov 11th

Welcome to the Wednesday Evening Preparation note number 1 designed to prepare you for tomorrow nights FUN-Run.

If this is your first night to check out the blog take a few minutes to read previous postings from the past week. We are repeating some of the previously posted pointers as a reminder also for those who have been blogging with us.

Over 750 FUN Runners have now registered and that is great news. Many more have offered to Steward so we should have an even greater presence on the route tomorrow night, and we greatly appreciate this help. We are making every effort to make sure your Fun-Run with Waterford Roadrunners is Safe, Enjoyable and Not-tooooo-Serious!

We therefore Ask/Require/Insist on you following the basic rules as follow:

1. No Watches/Headphones/Ipods to be worn during the FUN-Run ,


2. Wear a High Viz vest and don't forget your BIB number. Don't forget your chip timer is built into the number so Don't Bend it, Don't Wash it, Don't Lose it,


3. Run on the path and if you can't get by due to the high numbers of FUN-Runners in front of you, or pedestrians who have as much right to be there as you, then just wait until it is safe to pass. You are FUN-Running after all, (aren't you?), whats a few seconds going to cost?


4. Prepare to stop and give way to traffic coming out of, or going into, junctions: THEY have priority, not you!


5. Listen to the Stewards' instructions. Remember some of our FUN Runners are doing 2 miles (1 lap) and will be preparing to cross at the GARDA CROSSING POINT on the cork road so 4 milers take care if you are passing at this point, and Finally


6. Bring a smile and good humour with you, and leave with an even bigger smile! We understand smiling during the run might not be so easy!

With the exception of Rule 6 Stewards will be making a note of BIB numbers of those who violate the rules and their time for the run will not be posted!

Due to the high volumes of cars trying to leave the RSC after the FUN-Run it might be a good idea to park nearby and jog to and from the RSC, obviously you are very welcome to park at the RSC and use the changing rooms/showers there if you wish.

Our Waterford Roadrunners photographer will be cruising taking snaps for the blog so feel free to smile for the camera and look out for our weekly gallery early next week.

Again, we hope to have results online at http://www.waterfordac.com/ for Monday. There you can also sign up for free text alerts about the winter league!

If you know anybody who still wants to register Waterford Roadrunners will be taking new entries upstairs at the RSC from 4:30 tomorrow, so tell them to pop in on their way home from work and beat the queue later.

Thanks for your positive comments

Thanks for those who emailled waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com over the weekend! Keep them coming and keep an eye on the blog for regular updates. As you can see from earlier postings we have had a huge first night with over 700 fun runners taking to the streets.

Generally we will update the blog with bits and pieces as they come in but we will have a regular WEP-note, that stands for Wednesday Evening Preparation note, with the most up to date news and reminders for the winter league on the following day. Make a note to check this blog on http://www.waterfordroadrunners.blogspot.com/ every week after 6 pm on Wednesday.

A sample of some of the comments we received are:

"Thanks waterfordroadrunners for a professionally organised event, I'm really motivated. I can't wait for next week!".
WRR says: THANKS.
"Matties hill is a killer on the second lap, I thought 4 miles was going to be easy pizzee after doing the 5.2 mile route last year!"
WRR says: We completely agree; people thought 4 miles might be too short but not so. Fun?
"I can help out next Thursday if you need a marshall or something like that"
WRR says: Big time thanks? Any other takers? Contact us.
"I did the 2 mile route (one lap) and feel I would probably be able to do the 4 mile. Can I move up?"
WRR says: Yes you can. On the week you want to move up (or down perhaps) get to the RSC early and come upstairs and tell us. We will assign you an appropriate new handicap for the change in distance.
"Can I still register for the winter league?"
WRR says: Yes, Waterford Roadrunners will be upstairs at the RSC this Thursday (12th nov) from 4:30 to take new entries so pop in on your way home from work and save queing later.
"I paid for the series, do I still have to que up each week before my run?
WRR says: No, you simply check your handicap online at www.waterfordac.com or trackside on thursday before your run and make your way to the start. You start at the number of minutes after the offical clock start time on display at the start. If we are organised as well as normal we start precisely at 7 pm and so a handicap of zero means you start at 7pm, a handicap of 6 means you start at 7:06 and so on! Once you complete your run the chip in your number will record your time (so don't forget to bring your number!) and you are ready to congratulate yourself and your fellow fun runners on another nights achievement, do a nice gentle warm down, some stretches and thats it.

Week 1 provisional results available already!

Wow, we are better than we thought, provisional results are already available online at http://www.waterfordac.com/pages/WinterLeague.php

Click on the link above and see how well you did! Enter your bib number or name to get your time for this week and handicap time for next week. Well done.

704 is the magic number

On a beatuiful night in waterford 704 fun runners took to the streets to enjoy a nice 2 mile or 4 mile run and have some fun.

Well done to all runners/walkers and those who did a bit of both!

Thanks to those who stayed on the path, took their time to get familiar with the course and encourage others.

Thanks for your patience during registrations and thanks to all the waterfordroadrunners who helped out with registrations, marshalling and all the other bits and pieces.

We will be working on results over the next couple of days so watch out on http://www.waterfordac.com/ by Monday (we hope) for your handicap for next week.

Due to the huge number of runners, getting into and out of the RSC proved slow so for next week perhaps park nearby and do your gentle warm up and warm down from and to a nearby carpark!
Also, if you don't fancy running every week, why not volunteer to be a steward some night? You get to wear the prestigious Waterfordroadrunners reflective coat, complete with powerful lamp, get chatted up all night, get thanked by everyone!... You know the story! Alternatively if you know a friend who doesn't run but would be available to help out contact us on waterfordroadrunners@gmail.com .

Finally, don't worry if you didn't get to run last night, we will be in attendance next Thursday upstairs at the RSC from 4:30 pm to take new entries.

Well done to all, an unqualified sucess!

The day has arrived - Thursday Nov 5th

Today is the day for Paddy Byrnes Winter league 2009/2010 and we are ready to go.

Thanks to the many runners/walkers who have pre-registered online or at the RSC on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night and have collected their number. You are ready to run! Check out the route below and make your way to the start point on Ashe road, behind the MAXOL petrol station. Having done your warm up (a couple of laps of the RSC track) you should be in postion at Ashe road for 7pm.

If you have not registered yet get to the RSC from 6pm this evening and go upstairs to register, pay and collect your number. Then do your warm up and make your way to Ashe road (behind the MAXOL petrol station) for 7pm.

Note: As always with the winter league No watches are permitted so let us do the timing!
Also, no headphones etc should be worn to distract you from giving the marshalls your full attention.

For the first night only runners start in two waves: men followed 5 minutes later by women.
Your electronic chip is already built into your number (so don't lose it or destroy it),
When you finish in the RSC your time will be recorded by chip timer.
The time taken for you to complete your run will be calculated and your handicap determined for next week. Your handicap for next week will be available in advance on http://www.waterfordac.com/ or trackside at the RSC next thursday (and each week after).
Your handicap number is the the number of minutes, after the start time on the clock, at which you should start running on the next week!
As you improve your handicap will increase!

More important than anything: PLEASE

Remember, we are all out to ENJOY ourselves, have FUN and stay SAFE so:

Be seen (High Viz Vest)
Be safe (Run on the Path and No Headphones)
Relax (Take your time to familiarise yourself with the course, its dark out there!)
Enjoy (Encourage eachother and pass others safely, be prepared to slow down to pass and at road junctions)
Be Aware (Traffic has priority: Prepare to stop if a car is entering/exiting a roadway etc)
Listen to Marshalls (Marshalls are volunteers: respect their instructions and be prepared to stop for traffic if required)
Cross the road only at the GARDA CROSSING POINT on the cork road.

Waterford Roadrunners Winter League 2009/2010

New route for Winter league 2009/2010

This year there will be a 2 mile route and a 4 mile route.

Both routes will start at Ashe Road, just off the Cork road with parking available at the RSC as normal.
Note:
The 2 mile runners will cross the Cork road at this point, at the GARDA crossing point, and complete with a lap of the RSC track.
The 4 mile runners will turn left up Ashe road again and do another lap as described above. When the 4 milers reach the Garda crossing point after their 2nd lap they too cross the Cork Road and complete with a lap of the RSC.